PDA

View Full Version : Dealer choice RVBrokers or See-Grins?


nonichris
04-23-2008, 09:25 AM
We visited RV Brokers in Sacramento, and continue to have some doubts about them, and wondered if anyone here had worked with See-Grins in San Martin, and what sort of experience it was? Both are relatively new to selling TMs. We did get a chance to look at some TMs and even saw the green upholstery. The model we saw first was a 2008 3124KB, and they used that to demo the disassembly process. It was so beat up that we were really discouraged from even thinking of buying a TM...but the other ones on the lot looked much much better. Was it just carelessness that knocked chips out of the kitchen counters and gouges in the walls under the hanging cabinets and pieces out of the entry doors, or are they so delicate that it happens to all of them after use? I wouldn't want a trailer that couldn't stand up to the careful use we would give it.

Joseph
04-23-2008, 10:28 AM
All things in life benefit from a little care. Having moved up from a Coleman / Fleetwood Santa Fe model pop-up I can tell you that my TM is not near as rough and tumble as it was. However there are many, many benefits that the TM has over my pop up with almost all the same advantages of same. The damage you describe sounds like it could have happened from rushed put up and take downs by folks who may not have cared. ( not an owner ) Go see other TM's if possible. Preferably ones owned by individuals, or at the very least a dealer that has a little more experience with the TM product. TM's are truly unique and IMHO must be approached with that thought in mind. What is that old saying? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? Good luck to you and Happy Camping!

2bcs1jrt
04-23-2008, 11:51 AM
I sent this privately to nonichris but thought I should post it publicly as well. If any prospective TM owners in Northern CA want to see a number of TMs and talk to TM owners, they should take advantage of the Rally to be held at Petaluma KOA Oct 18 and 19 (someone correct me if I got the dates wrong) I would have loved to have that opportunity when I got mine.

Cheri

Bluegrass
04-23-2008, 11:59 AM
Might be worth it to take a trip to Custom RV in Anaheim. The dealer there gets consistently good reviews on this board.

Downside, though, is that some dealers will not do warranty work for units they didn't sell.

Leslie & Nick
04-23-2008, 01:55 PM
With regard to 'fit and finish' things, I don't think TMs are inherently better or worse than other trailers. It sounds to me like the 2008 model you saw suffered from inattentive care and operation. There is no reason why such a new trailer should have gouges in the countertops and dents in the walls.

For example, you of course have to be somewhat careful in not damaging the walls when hanging the kitchen cabinet. If not, I could see the wall being dinged. When closing up the trailer, EVERYTHING has to be off the countertops or else you'll not be able to close up, and could conceivably damage something in the process.

Again, I don't think TMs are subject to any more wear and tear than other trailers. You do however, need to do things in certain sequence when opening and closing the trailer - but you'll learn these steps pretty quickly.

As Cheri said, if you get a chance, your best bet would be to talk to some TM owners and see their rigs in person.

Nick

camp2canoe
04-23-2008, 04:10 PM
I don't know if they've corrected this or not, but there was a defect in the way they assembled the countertops which left a tiny lip on the edgebanding. If you slide something heavy off the counter such as a tv or a microwave, instead of lifting it off, you were likely to get a chip. I agree with prior posts that the other matters you mention sound like abuse. I am not big on maintenence and my TM looks good after 3 years and 20 destinations. - camp2canoe

Mr. Adventure
04-23-2008, 09:06 PM
My 2005 TM looks pretty darned good for it's age. I'd wonder about a dealer that shows a beat up demo unit!

PopBeavers
04-29-2008, 09:02 PM
I don't know if they've corrected this or not, but there was a defect in the way they assembled the countertops which left a tiny lip on the edgebanding. If you slide something heavy off the counter such as a tv or a microwave, instead of lifting it off, you were likely to get a chip.

I wish I had known that. I noticed the little lip and did nothing about it. Then DW slid the microwave drawer out to get something out that fell behind it, with the microwave on it, and the little rubber feet caused two chips.

A little light sanding should eliminate it.

PopBeavers
04-30-2008, 09:56 AM
I visited See Grins the week before it officially opened. They said that they will not be doing any repairs, but that they have an arrangement with Camping World, which is next door. A local RV repair shop told me that See Grins permits allow them to do sales but not repairs.

RV Brokers ins Sacramento seems to have a better reputation for repairs than it does for sales. I reached his conclusion by reading threads posted here and also at RV.net. I stopped by RV Brokers once when I was in the area. It was after 6, so they were closed. I was not impressed for some reason. Their service center is closed on weekends. Because it would take me 2.5 hours to drive there I would prefer to take the TM on the weekend instead of taking a day off of work.

I bought my TM from Dinuba RV when the were in Rio Vista. At least they were open on weekends.

Right now I am disappointed in my options for the few repairs that I need to deal with.

Shandysplace
04-30-2008, 02:57 PM
That pretty well covers it Wayne. RV Brokers has a service person living in a trailer in the service area. In general with advance notice, they'll let you drop off and pick up your TM on Sat mornings.

RTD123
05-01-2008, 04:05 PM
We had recent dealings with See Grins and was disappointed enough that we removed our rv from consignment there. Be aware.

SeeGrinsRV
05-30-2008, 01:51 PM
We had recent dealings with See Grins and was disappointed enough that we removed our rv from consignment there. Be aware.

I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Vance, the consignment manager for See Grins RV. I'd first like to start off by apologizing for the disappointment the previous poster felt. We acknowledge their concerns and have corrected the situation.
I would like to invite any potential Trail Manor customer to contact me
directly for assistance. Also after 21 years in the RV industry I can assure
you that our standards and procedures for marketing and taking care of our
clients coach are to the highest standards. We also have service available at Camping World next door.

BrigCA61
05-30-2008, 02:24 PM
Has anyone living in California or Nevada been to Dinuba RV since they left Rio Vista? With all the questionable comments about the current options, I'm wondering if we would be better off getting all our service done in Dinuba even if it is a bit of a drive from Sacramento. We originally purchased from them and have always been more than happy with our sales & service experiences.... they truly know what they're doing and go out of the way to make their customers happy.

freein05
06-06-2008, 08:38 PM
We just picked up our new 2619 from See-Grins this week. We had visited RV Brokers and that is all I will say about them.

See-Grins gave us a better price and provided a start up package from Camping World next door. We got there at lunch time and when we asked about a place to eat they said nothing any good near them. Then they fixed a lunch for us. What service! They spent about 2 hours going over everything in the 2619.

We towed it to our home in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with our 2008 Honda Ridgeline. It pulled the 2619 without any problems. It has a very windy day in the Central Valley of California. The Trailmanor and Ridgeline were not bothered by the wind. I have a Prodigy brake controller and it also worked great. The 2619 has A/C, awing, 40 gal water tank that was full.

We just finished buying all of the toys for the inside and will take it next week for a trail run.

I would recommend See-Grins without any reservations.

2bcs1jrt
06-09-2008, 12:24 PM
I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Vance, the consignment manager for See Grins RV. I'd first like to start off by apologizing for the disappointment the previous poster felt. We acknowledge their concerns and have corrected the situation.
I would like to invite any potential Trail Manor customer to contact me
directly for assistance. Also after 21 years in the RV industry I can assure
you that our standards and procedures for marketing and taking care of our
clients coach are to the highest standards. We also have service available at Camping World next door.


I like seeing a dealership that reads this forum and cares what people say. It gives me hope.:)

I wish the TM factory folks would do the same...or if they do read this forum, chime in on occasion. There is a lot to be learned here.

Cheri